Pharmaceutical packaging boxes play a vital role in protecting the drugs. It helps them to stay safe from the outer atmosphere, tampering, and germs. They also help keep the products aligned and clean. To achieve this, they must be made from a variety of materials. Below are some of the features of a pharmaceutical packaging box.
Protecting From Damage
Pharmacies need to take the right steps when packaging their medicines. Improper packaging can cause serious health problems. A poorly-made box can compromise the potency of a medication, resulting in tampering, ineffective storage, and even falsification. Potency is crucial for both patient safety and efficacy, and even the smallest slippage can have disastrous consequences. Pharmacies must communicate carefully and implemAent smart solutions for packaging.
Pharmacies must also ensure that the packaging protects their drugs from damage during transport. There are many different types of pharmaceutical packaging boxes, each with its own set of requirements. The FDA has strict guidelines for pharmaceutical packaging, and smart packaging can improve security. Some examples include void films that leave an irreversible ‘VOID’ message when the package is opened, infrared taggants (special additives that can only be detected with an IR reader), and microscopic particles with multiple colour layers and pattern recognition. Smart packaging is flexible enough to change security layers as often as required.
Primary & Secondary Packaging
Pharmacies must also be packed in protective packaging to protect them from environmental factors and moisture. Pharmaceutical packaging is divided into primary and secondary packaging. Packaging material is made of non-reactive substances, such as aluminum or PVC. Materials also need to be neutral, since improper packaging materials can interfere with the purity of a medicine.
Pharmaceutical packaging is critical when shipping sensitive products. It must protect medicines from physical damage and ensure zero chemical changes. It must also provide important information to doctors, nurses, and consumers. This information includes the indications, contraindications, composition, and method of use, as well as the batch number for traceability.
Printed Material
Besides pharmaceutical packaging boxes, secondary packaging is used to protect primary packaging. Secondary packaging contains printed material such as the drug’s name, manufacturer’s address, and warning. It also provides additional protection during shipping and warehousing. These materials are often recyclable, and are designed to withstand moisture and dust.
Protecting From Tampering
Among the key aspects in the development of medicines is their packaging. Not only prescription medicines, but also over-the-counter medicines need to be protected against tampering. Improved packaging can include special wrappers, caps, and seals. It can also contain each dose in a separate pouch. Nevertheless, no packaging system is foolproof. You should always check the packaging of medicines before you buy them. Following these guidelines will help you spot possible tampering.
Several new technologies are being developed to prevent tampering. For instance, RFID embedded film wrap is a good option for protecting a pallet of medicines. In addition, tamper-proof packaging must be strong enough to prevent accidental breakage. Also, it must be simple to use. Blow fill seals and in-mold lamination can improve the manufacturability of tamper-evident pharmaceutical packaging.
Increasing Counterfeit Medicines
Increasing counterfeit medicines is a global problem. According to the World Health Organization, counterfeit medicines represent up to 10% of all medicines sold worldwide. And in Europe, the number of fake medicines has increased by 400%. This problem has led governments to adopt various regulations to combat this problem. For example, the EU’s Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/161 requires pharmaceutical packaging to feature a unique identifier, which makes it harder for counterfeiters to access legitimate medicines.
Keeping drugs secure is one of the most important aspects of pharmaceutical packaging boxes. Even the smallest mistake can be life-threatening. This is why the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2016/161 requires pharmaceutical packaging to include anti-tampering devices and unique identifiers.
The industry has realized that tamper-evident packaging is essential to protect against theft and other fraudulent practices. However, manufacturers must learn to tread the fine line between safety and consumer-friendliness. Tamper-evident packaging can result in “wrap rage” – a phenomenon that makes consumers avoid certain brands. Further, tamper-evident packaging creates complex dynamics when it comes to recycling.
The FDA has also set forth specific guidelines for tamper-evident packaging. This type of packaging must have a unique design and a statement that warns users to keep their products out of the hands of unauthorized persons.
Protecting From Germs
Protecting drugs from germs is one of the most important aspects of pharmaceutical packaging boxes. Several factors must be considered when creating pharmaceutical packaging, including the materials used. Moreover, the important information that must be displayed on the pharmaceutical packaging must be clear and easily readable. If these factors are met, the pharmaceutical packaging will serve its purpose of keeping drugs safe from germs and other contaminants.
Pharmaceutical packaging boxes comes in two basic types, primary and secondary. The first type encloses the product and includes components that come into contact with the product, such as bottles and prefilled syringes. Primary pharmaceutical packaging includes ampoules, bottles, blister packs, and sachet packages.
